Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said she had laughed in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s assertion that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may be counted among officials considered “pro-China” so long as the list remains undisclosed, citing Marcos’ commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty.

“Ako natawa, hindi ko alam kung natatawa kayo. For me, nakakatawa kasi iyong kaniyang mga sinasabi,” Castro told the press on Monday.

The President has been invariably supportive of efforts to safeguard Philippine interests, with many backing his position on the country’s long-standing dispute with China.

“Unang-una, nakita po natin kung paano ipaglaban ng Pangulo ang interes ng bansang Pilipinas at interes ng ating mga kababayan. Marami na ang humanga at ipinakita na sang-ayon sila kung ano ang instance ng Pangulo patungkol sa ating soberanya, kung papaano natin ipaglalaban, poproteksiyunan, especially ang ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea,” she said.

Furthermore, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro had not revealed any names, but called on any official with beliefs conflicting with Filipino interests to step down from their posts, the Palace official pointed out.

It is only Vice President Duterte and her brother, Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, who hit back at the Defense chief over his statement.

“Hindi natin alam bakit silang dalawa lamang na magkapatid ang umalma. Minsan kasi kapag ikaw ay natutumbok, kahit hindi ka pinangangalanan, most probably ikaw ay nagri-react,” Castro said.

Earlier, Teodoro urged officials who do not agree with Administrative Order 29, which recognizes the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as Philippine territory, to resign.

Lawmaker Duterte slammed this statement, arguing that a public servant’s loyalty to the country should not be judged based on their stance on the WPS. Moreover, he accused Teodoro of “demonizing” China and imposing a “loyalty test.”

On Thursday last week, Vice President Duterte dared Teodoro to name these supposedly “pro-China” government officials whom he believes have taken China’s side in its dispute with the Philippines over the WPS and its features. She said that his refusal to identify these officials may result in speculation and unjust suspicion.

“Hindi mo naman pangalanan ang mga opisyal. At siyempre, suspek kahit ang presidente natin kasali doon kasi walang pangalan, walang listahan ng pangalan,” she told reporters following a Kadayawan Festival thanksgiving mass in Davao City.